With the 42nd pick of the 2014 NFL draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select…Jordan Matthews.
Matthews is one of the most prolific receivers in the history of the Southeastern Conference, holding the SEC record in receptions (262) and receiving yards (3,759). Matthews earned All-American honors and first-team All-SEC recognition in both his junior and senior campaigns.
As a senior in 2013, Matthews established a new SEC record with 112 catches and tied for the third-highest single-season receiving yardage total with 1,477 yards. A native of Madison, AL, he was a three-year starter at wide receiver and earned team MVP honors as a senior captain in 2009, recording 61 catches for 1,061 yards and 13 touchdowns as a wide out. If these numbers and honors do not get Eagle fans pumped up about their new star wide out, then I am not sure what does. Let’s take a more in-depth view of Jordan Matthews.
Jordan Matthews played for the Vanderbilt Commodores in the SEC, which has traditionally been the most dominant conference in college football and bred many a tough competitor. He has played with and against some of the best college football players in the nation which has help prepare him for the NFL. Matthews, is 6’3”, 212 lbs and is a big bodied, physical, aggressive player that is a good route runner and play maker. Matthews appears to have that “it” factor that can’t be measured on by statistics on the field.
Chip Kelly is a very offensive minded coach and with the return of Jeremy Maclin, emergence of Riley Cooper and acquisition of Darren Sproles, the Eagles will have one of the top scoring offenses in the league without question. Combine that with pro bowl running back LeSean McCoy and quarterback Nick Foles, adding Jordan Matthews seems like the icing on the cake.
Matthews will play from the slot for the Eagles getting playing time behind Riley Cooper and retuning wide out Jeremy Maclin. With Chip Kelly’s versatile type of offense expect to see Matthews all over the field.
Jordan Matthews has done it all at Vanderbilt and has come through for Coach James Franklin in a plethora of ways. If he was asked to be a deep threat and make a big play, he would do it. If he was asked to run a wide receiver screen for first down he would do it and have great success. If he was asked to be the guy to get the first down on a third and three, he would make the play.
No, I am not going to gloss over one of the biggest negatives of Jordan Matthews and those have been some of his uncharacteristic dropped balls. However, let’s not have those drops take away from the big picture here.
Matthews is a competitor and a perfect example would be against Ole Miss, when Matthews took a huge hit and ended up throwing up on the field due to that hit. In most cases, the wide out would be attended too and taken to the locker room. Not Jordan Matthews, this stud came back and made one of his most clutch catches he has ever made moving the chains on a 4th and 18 with the game on the line. If this doesn’t speak to his will to play the game then I do not know what does.
I have heard people argue that Jordan Matthews was just one of those guys who benefited from being a “product of the system” type of guy. Everyone who says this cannot be more wrong. Matthews has a special ability to create separation from his defenders and force an open window of opportunity for quarterbacks to take advantage of. That skill alone should earn him significant playing time on Sundays for the Eagles.
Matthews plays a lot faster than his 4.46 40 yard dash time and though he may not have that innate quickness of a Sammy Watkins, Jordan is a tough competitor who has combined his work ethic and mental mindset to always be better than his opponents, Eagle fans should be excited that they have found a replacement for Desean Jackson.
Finally, Chip Kelly scouts his opponents very well, watches film and knows exactly how to exploit their weaknesses in every offensive way imaginable. Look for a wide out named Jordan Matthews to have an explosive impact and help lead the Philadelphia Eagles to the 2014 Super Bowl.
For more on sports injuries, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on twitter – @Matty_ICE07. Support LWOS by following the site on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport – and by “liking” our Facebook page.
Football fans…check out our two partnered NFL podcasts – Thursday Night Tailgate Radio and Overtime Ireland. Both shows bring you interesting commentary, critical analysis and fantastic guests including former and current NFL players, coaches and personalities.
